They would only agree to the terms is Homer signed the agreement, because his name meant something to them. Homer H. Hickam Jr. aka Sonny. Sonny worked hard to get the class approved and he's not allowed to take it. [17], October Sky won three awards, including: OCIC Award for Joe Johnston at the Ajijic International Film Festival 1999, the Critics' Choice Movie Awards for Best Family Film from the Broadcast Film Critics Association in 2000, and a Humanitas Prize 1999 for Featured Film Category.[18]. His question is simply what do you think we should do with space, and Kennedy turns the question back on him. He gives it to Miss Riley. The boys who watch it form their own organization, the Big Creek Missile Agency. Who are the "Great Six"? It was adapted from Homer Hickam Jr.'s autobiography Rocket Boys. Salary cuts for the mine workers, many of them out of work so their kids are suffering. Orville "Tex" from Texas. Who agrees to help Sonny with the welding on the rockets? Miss Freida Riley is that teacher for Sonny in Homer Hickam's 'October Sky.' Credit: MCA/Courtesy Everett Collection; Neilson Barnard/Getty Images, Credit: MCA/Courtesy Everett Collection; Todd Williamson/Getty Images, Credit: MCA/Courtesy Everett Collection; Gabriel Olsen/Getty Images, Credit: MCA/Courtesy Everett Collection; Youtube.com/createlittlerock. Not only does Sonny catch her checking Jake out, but he also notices that she speaks to Jake in ''a dulcet voice I had never heard her use before.'' Why does Mr. Hartsfield initially see no hope for having a calculus class at Big Creek High School? Miss Riley is an attractive woman who catches the eye of Jake, but a little while after they begin dating she is diagnosed with Hodgkin's disease. How does Elsie plan to pay for a house in Myrtle Beach? Homer, who wrote a book about how Miss Riley gave him the direction he needed to achieve great things, became a rocket scientist for NASA. . . Burial. by. How do the media react to Sputnik? . The other important point in this chapter is that there is a pillar explosion in the mine. Why do Buck and other football players accost Sonny and Quentin? What does the ensuing confrontation reveal about Homer and Sonny? Elya Baskin joined October Sky as Ike Bykovsky. And when it comes time to put that learning to the test and design a new type of rocket . Title October Sky Year 1999 Director Joe Johnston Genre Drama, Biography, Family Interpreted by Jake Gyllenhaal Chris Cooper Laura Dern Plot - In 1957 in Coalwood, West Virginia, everything revolves around the mines and to work in the mines is the destiny that awaits the local boys. The difficulty in this is that the school does not offer the class. Who consoles Sonny after Dorothy dates Jim? Was October Sky a true story? She was a tough teacher. After making peace with his mother over his trip into the mine, Sonny decides to take his fathers advice and ask Ike Bykovski about Wernher von Braun. What does the author reveal about each of the BCMA boys in the Epilogue? (Epilogue). Like many of us, Miss Riley has at least some interest in having a romantic relationship. [8], October Sky opened on February 19, 1999 in 1,495 theaters and had an opening weekend gross of $5,905,250. How does Isaac Bykovski help Sonny and the BCMA? However, she's all set to begin teaching chemistry full-time the following year. The kits are 55" tall, 2.64" Diameter with a 38mm MMT and have a Aluminum Billet Machined Nozzle, just like the original ones. His father has told him not to build the rockets but he does it anyway. It is given in honor of Freida J. Riley, the teacher who inspired theRocket Boysand is depicted in the filmOctober Sky. Riley, the teacher who inspired the Rocket Boys and is depicted in the film October Sky. At the same time, Sonnys father invites him to come to the mine with him. State two reasons Sonny decides to enter the science fair. Covering only a few days, this chapter gives the Rocket Boys one of the things that they had been looking for through the entire story. While other people may return from summer vacation with a tan, Miss Riley comes back looking a bit pale. I feel like its a lifeline. Rocket candy was the left over fuel from combining potassium nitrate, saltpeter, and sugar. October Skytells the true story of a young man pursuing rocket science, despite his father's wishes. Even after this decision, Sonny is still angry. He followed with roles in Jarhead (2005), Rendition (2007), and Brothers(2009). He says his future is in space and his life in Coalwood seems like a blur in the grandeur of all of space. He calls his mom for help and the town sends him new stuff through the bus system. They're all down and out because they got suspended from football for the year and can't play. When Miss Riley gives Sonny a book to learn calculus, Quentin is right there to help him understand. Learn more about Rocket Boys and Homer Hickman. Jim tells Sonny that he's an embarrassment to the family. No portion of this sitemay be used in any form without express written consent of The National Museum of Education, Inc. All violators will be prosecuted. All Rights Reserved. Mr. Hartfield doesn't think it'll get any support from the administration because people from Coalwood either end up working for the mine or moving away. 7.Homer: Dad, I may not be the best, but I come to believe that I got it in me to be somebody in this world. PDF. . Why? What is the primary reason Quentin believes Sonny should enter the science fair? The only kids that got out of the dust filled town received football scholarships to college, the rest accepted the inevitability of working in . This chapter covers two things. She also vows to shoot him if he ever goes near the mine again. Elsie hates the mine even more now and throws the black phones to the mine in the yard. What is Sonny's response to Homer's statement that he might come to Cape Coalwood when he has time? Sonny wins this thanks to the rush of new rocket parts from the town. Laura Dern had an emotional turn in October Sky as Miss Riley. And it's not because I'm so different from you either, it's because I'm the same. Speedo. What effect does the tragedy have on Homer and Elsie? With Jake Gyllenhaal, Chris Cooper, Laura Dern, Chris Owen. She said she already has plans but will study with him on Sunday. It also once again shows the character of his father who lead the rescue crew into the dangerous passages even though he didnt need to. The Freida J. Riley Teacher Awardannually recognizes an American teacher who overcomes adversity or makes an enormous sacrifice in order to positively impact students. This is reinforced at Christmas when his mother gives him an autographed photo and note from Werner von Braun. Grandview Memory Gardens. In addition to this, Sonny is trying to learn calculus and other math in order to be able to launch his rockets better. How does Jake help the BCMA? This gets the attention of one of the company men who tries to tear down Cape Coalwood, but the miners fight back and eventually so does Sonnys dad. Death 5 Aug 1969 (aged 32) Morgantown, Monongalia County, West Virginia, USA. Where does Auk IV land? Although I was having trouble with algebra at the time, Miss Riley believed in me and so I believed in myself. Hodgkin's disease Riley, the teacher who inspired the Rocket Boys and is depicted in the film October Sky. Briefly describe the company store and explain why you think this is an asset or a liability to the miners. This means he is forced to call his mother and ask the town to get him more before the next day when the judging begins. And Miss Riley wanted to make sure you document your results. Why? action adversity age alcohol ambition America animals appearance communication conflict crime death education endeavor failure family . He tries out for football, like his athletic brother Jim, because he sees football as a chance to escape Coalwood via athletic scholarship. Mr. Isaac Bykovski teaches Homer how to weld and design nozzles. As they do, Sonnys wrist is cut on one of the sharp pieces of metal and they are forced to carry him miles back to town where he collapses as the doctor is stitching him. What do you think she means by this? Vanguard made it only three yards off the ground before it blows up. Beginning with the boys creating their new rocket candy fuel by mixing sugar and saltpeter with his mother, they are able to create rockets thats main limitation is the oxidation of the metal. The first is that the woman sells moonshine and other things to men. 23 terms. Look below for a few more resources you can use. They are a mining town high school and dont think that they need it. Elsie makes him clean up around the house, and cook kidneys for the cats. Who is the chemistry teacher at Big Creek High School? What is the financial result? Here he discovers that his brother has taken the girl he has been in love with for years out on a date. 4301 Darrow Road When I found out, I wished then that I had told her how much she meant to me. What height does Auk XII attain? "[4][5], Jeff Bezos, the billionaire founder of Amazon, saw a screening of October Sky in 1999. The story continues with the Rocket Boys finishing their cape and putting up notices of their launches. He gets help from the machinists by trading favors for work. Voila! Sonny doesn't want to do any of that. If a miner got in debt with the store the company stopped paying them in dollars and started paying them in "script" instead, which is only good at the company store. How do Sonny's parents react? More than 2000 extras were used in the movie. Instead of punishment, his mother saw a chance to help her son escape from Coalwood. How do Elsie and Sonny react? Which two reasons do you think are the most valid? To stick it to his dad and to give his friends an opportunity to get scholarships so they can go to college. They choose not to call the police even though they are almost certain who it was that took the shot at him. She finds Sonny lost in a snow storm, lets him stay in her house and gives him French toast. Sherman: Publicity. How is the situation resolved? "[12], James Wall of The Christian Century describes the film's concentration on the father-son relationship as "at times painful to watch. With whom does Sonny become friends with at the National Science Fair? In the film, Homer said he thought his father sent Mr. Bykovski from the company machine shop back into the mines as punishment for helping with some welding. No matter what, she is always there for Sonny, whether it's being at important events in his life, such as the BCMA's final rocket launch, or helping him prepare for the national science fair. She flew to an altitude . In an interview in 2014, Natalie Canerday recalled that Gyllenhaal was tutored on set because he was still in school and taking advanced classes. He then joins the marching band and plays snare. Wanting to learn calculus means asking to have the class. It then describes nearly every building and major person in Coalwood, showing it as a far better than average mining town, and also in many ways, a typical small town centered around a single industry. copyright 2003-2023 Study.com. Sonny forgets to lock his stuff up and it gets stolen by some kids. When we first meet Miss Riley, she is still a senior at Concord College, and is only student teaching at Big Creek High School. Johnston expressed that he felt that the appearance of the mine in the film gave it an evil look, like the mine was the villain in the film and felt it ironic because that is what gave the town its nourishment. I mean, I can be just as hard-headed, and just as tough. What causes Sonny's dream of reciprocal love from Dorothy to end? D landed in Rev. After the launches of Auks IX-XIII. He is quite upset about the girl, but Sonny knows it is more than that. What modifications does Mr. Dubonnet suggest to Sonny following the launch of Auk V? What date divides Sonny's life into two distinct phases? Based on a true story, October Sky is the story of Homer Hickam's determined journey to escape his fate as a coal miner in Coalwood, West Virginia. This guide may also work well as a sub plan for your substitute teacher.PART 1 - Comprehension questions. In Homer Hickam's autobiographical October Sky, Miss Freida Riley does all of these things and more for Homer, aka Sonny, and the rest of the ''rocket boys'' in the Big Creek Missile Agency (BCMA). Miss Riley is one of the BCMA's earliest supporters. While he is searching the floor unsuccessfully for his hero, the other students lobby successfully for a separate rocketry category. John intervenes and rescues Roy Lee, warning Vernon that he will protect Roy Lee as Roy Lee's late father would have. This article will give you a chapter by chapter October Sky summary. For instance, she is able to make it to the bus station to wish Sonny luck when he is setting off for the national science fair. Gyllenhaal is perfectly cast as the West Virginia boy determined to pursue his crazy dreams. Bykovski help Sonny with the welding on the rockets to them dad and give! And cook kidneys for the mine even more now and throws the black phones to the terms is Homer the. 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